[Extract]

I highly approve of your plan and proposition for raising such a naval force as will be sufficient to clear the Sound of the enemy's Ships of War ー If Admiral Hopkins will Join you, I should suppose It not only practicable, but a matter of certainty, & If it can be effected, many valuable & salutary consequences must result from It ー As to drafting Seamen from the Continental regiments It cannot be done as their Numbers have been reduced so low already by taking men from them for the Galleys, Boats, & other purposes that some of them have hardly any thing left but the Name, besides I must depend chiefly upon them for a successful opposition to the Enemy If It can be done out of the Militia I shall not have the least objection & heartily wish the Enterprise, when ever attempted may be attended with all possible success ー secrecy & despatch will be most likely to give It a happy issue ー The enemy's Ships can receive no reinforcements but such as go round Long Isld ー Our Works at Hell Gate preventing their sending Ships that way ー they are sensible of their Importance & yesterday opened Two, Three Gun Batteries to effect their destruction, but as yet have not materially damaged them & they must be maintained If possible.